Colombia’s Oscar submission, Un varón releases this week in New York City and Los Angeles.

Here’s the synopsis: “The story centers around Carlos, a young man who lives in a youth shelter in the heart of Bógota, seeking respite from the harshness of life. As Christmas approaches, Carlos longs to spend the day with his mother and sister, who are ensnared in the throes of urban turmoil. As he leaves the shelter, Carlos is confronted with the unyielding milieu of the streets in his neighborhood, where the law of the strongest, the alpha ‘macho’, rules. 

Carlos navigates the streets of Bógota under the protection of Freddy, for whom he sells drugs—but when Carlos cannot live up to Freddy’s macho expectations, he must make a choice between his survival and adhering to societal constructs of masculinity.”

Un varón is directed by Fabián Hernández and stars Dylan Felipe Ramirez Espitia.

Un varón will have a one-week run at Cinema Village in New York City opening on Friday, December 8, with an additional screening on Tuesday, December 5 at the Instituto Cervantes in Los Angeles.

Check out the trailer below: